Eagles in Big Bear Valley
The Big Bear Valley has the largest wintering population of Bald Eagles in Southern California. The eagle has made a remarkable comeback since the 1950’s.
In the early 60’s it was estimated that only 500 pairs of nesting eagles were left in the lower 48 states. Unlike other species of eagles, which are found around the globe, the Bald Eagle exists only in North America, making it the perfect symbol for the United States.
The most significant cause of the eagles decline was the pesticide DDT, which was ultimately banned in 1972. However, the pesticides side effects linger in the environment for generations, doing serious biological damage. DDT interferes with metabolic processes, causing birds to lay eggs with significantly thinner shells, so that a nesting adult often crushes the egg before it can hatch.
Additional reasons for the decline of our eagle population include electrocutions and injuries from powerline collisions. Other causes for their near extermination include habitat losses as humans developed in and around important nesting sites, and malicious vandals seeking eagle feathers and claws as trophies.
If eagles have nowhere to nest and hunt without interference from humans, they cannot survive.
In response to this situation, the Forest Service in the San Bernardino Mountains has protected many areas around Big Bear Lake, particularly on the North Shore, so that wintering eagle populations can live with limited disturbance from people. On the positive side, there are now many locations around the Big Bear Valley where wild eagles can be spotted on a regular basis between October and April.
Remember, it is extremely important to observe eagles without disturbing them. Stay in your car if you can. If you get out, limit your movement and talk quietly.
During a typical winter, from 15 to 35 eagles make this alpine lake their home. During the summer they will migrate north to nest. Biologists have tracked some of the Big Bear eagles to Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Alberta Canada. One eagle that winters at Lake Silverwood, also in the San Bernardino National Forest, migrates to and from the Great Slave Lake in Canada’s northwest territories – a commute of more than 4,000 miles round trip!
Eagles mate for life and can live for 35 years or longer in the wild. They can be as tall as 42 inches from their tail to the top of their white heads. Eagles have a wing-span of seven feet and adults weigh from 10 to 14 pounds. Their eyesight is eight times sharper than a humans and their talons are so strong that if a person had the same amount of power in his hands, he could crush a car bumper.
Click here for more information about eagles in Big Bear.
Eagles at the Moonridge Zoo
